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What Causes Persistent Irritation In Throat After Treating A Cold?

Posted on Thu, 23 Apr 2015

Question: I had a cold about 4-5 weeks ago. After it cleared up, I have noticed that I have had a persistent irritated throat. I have an oncologist friend who looked at it for me. She noted that I have a few white patches on my throat behind my tongue. Said they absolutely do not look malignant (I have a previous smoking hx) I took a 5 day course of azithromycin. A week later my friend looked at it again and said the patches are still there and have not increased or decreased in size. She inquired if I could have mono, but I have had that as a teen and don't have any other symptoms. I utilize a Bi-Pap at night w/humidifier and have a frequent dry throat. What could be causing this and should I be alarmed?

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
seems to be candidiasis.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having white patches on throat. I would like to ask you few more details.

Is there any nasal obstruction or post nasal drip (sinus secretions trickling back of throat) ?
Is your irritation in throat associated with any change of voice ?

Kindly get back to me with the details (if possible picture of the patch).

Based on your clinical details, it appears to be persistent pharyngitis secondary to sinus infection or fungal Infection (oral candidiasis) secondary to antibiotic and prolonged usage of BIPAP.

Obstructive sleep apnea on BIPAP may tend to get recurrent pharyngitis and fungal infections due to chronic drying of mucosa secondary to forceful air.

I suggest you to visit an ent surgeon, get detailed ent examination, laryngoscopy (to see the extension of lesion, status of voice box).

Mean time, continue simple salt water gargle.

Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (46 hours later)

Thank you for your reply. In answer to your questions, I'm not sure if I have post nasal drip. I do seem to have to clear my throat a bit. No change in voice. I went to the urgent care yesterday. Strep came back negative. Was prescribed cephalexin. Pulmonologist friend looked at my throat and thinks it is not infectious or cancer, so I did make an appointment to see ENT doc next week. He saw the patches and didn't know what it is either, so now I am very worried. Hopefully nothing serious. I wish I could send a pic, but I am unable to see it as it is on the back of my throat just below my tongue.

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
needs laryngoscopy.

Detailed Answer:

Hello again,

Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.

Laryngoscopy procedure from an ent surgeon, will tell you the extent of lesion of base of tongue.

You have already completed two courses of antibiotics (cephalexin and z pack). Antibiotics could be the cause of fungal infection. Any ways, continue salt water gargling, stop clearing the throat (repeated straining, can cause mucosal injury followed by infection) and see an ent surgeon as early as possible.

Hope, I have answered your query.

Take care.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar